Jersey City Council Votes on Supporting Acquisition of Building for Jersey City Museum and Community Center

The Jersey City Council has Passed a Resolution in Support of Acquiring the Pathside Building in Journal Square; The Building Will be Home to the New Jersey City Museum and Community Center

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Council passed a resolution at last night’s council meeting authorizing a subsidy agreement between the City the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, representing an important next step in the acquisition of the Pathside Building in Journal Square. The Pathside Building will be transformed into the home of a new Jersey City Museum and community center, as the Fulop Administration continues to bring new life to Journal Square through an emphasis on local arts and culture.

“As a city that encourages arts and celebrates culture, I am proud that we are moving forward with our plans to create a new museum that will complement our city’s dynamic communities, and will help to bring new energy into Journal Square,” said Mayor Fulop. “Last night’s vote sets the table for the development of an exciting cultural destination that will attract residents from all neighborhoods and visitors from throughout the region.”

In November of last year, the New Jersey Local Finance Board authorized the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) to issue $10 million in redevelopment bonds for the purchase of the Pathside Building, located at 25 Sip Avenue adjacent to the Journal Square PATH station. The five-story, 55,000 square foot building is currently owned by the Hudson County Community College.

The financing also covers the hiring of a consultant to design a strategic plan for the museum and community center for both capital improvements and programming, for which an RFP has already been issued.

The acquisition will allow the JCRA to begin facilitating the conversion of the building into a museum and community center. While the current intention is to focus on the visual arts (with a component of the building reserved for local artists), the City will also consider the incorporation of other forms of art such as performance art.